INDIA: FRIDAY PRAYERS BARRED FOR SECOND WEEK AT SRINAGAR’S JAMIA MASJID FEARING PRO-PALESTINE PROTESTS

Sat 21 October 2023:

For the second consecutive Friday (October 20), Muslims were barred from offering Friday prayers at Jamia Masjid in Srinagar. Police closed down the iconic masjid apprehending protests over the ongoing war between Israel and Palestine.

“For the second consecutive Friday, police officials once again closed the gates of Jama Masjid Srinagar and informed the Auqaf not to open the gates for Friday prayers,” said a press release from masjid authorities, according to Kashmir Life.

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, who was recently allowed to offer Friday prayers and deliver the Friday sermon at Jama Masjid after four years of house detention, shared his disappointment over the situation. He said he has been once again put under house arrest from October 15 and is not being allowed to step out of his house.

The Mirwaiz said repeated closure of the mosque belies the administration’s claim of “normalcy” in the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. “Such measures belie the claim of ‘normalcy’ that the authorities make and instead cause great unease and hurt among the Muslims,” he said.

According to The Times of India, Mirwaiz is scheduled to address a gathering (Seerat Majlis) in Srinagar on Saturday after Zuhr prayer on the birth anniversary of Hazrat Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jeelani.

Starting with Hamas’ strike on Israel on October 7, the Israel-Palestine war has so far claimed the lives of 1,400 Israelis and 4,137 Palestinians. Hamas also captured more than 200 people as hostages after the initial assault. Two of the hostages were released on Friday. Egypt and Qatar are mediating with Israel and Palestine to secure the release of those held captive.

-The Wire

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